Automatic continuous-rail crossing



H. w. PATTISON.

AUTOMATIC CONTINUOUS RAIL CROSSING. I

APPLICATION FILED FEB. IO, I920.

1,344,957. Patented June 29, 1929,

2 SHEETS-SHEET I.

H. w. PATTISON. AUTOMATIC CONTINUOUS RAIL CROSSING. 1

APPLICATION FILED FEB. I0, 1920.

Patented June 29, 1920.

2 SHEETS-SHEEI 2.

UNITED STATES L HAROLD w. ra'rrrson, or SEATTLE, WASHINGTON.

AUTOMATIC CONTINUOUS-RAIL cnossme.

Application filed February 10,-1920. Serial No. 357,538.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HAROLD W. PATTIsoN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Seattle, in the county of King and State of VVashington,'have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Continuous-Rail Crossings, of which the foll0wing is a specification. I

My invention relates to improvements in railroad crossings and more particularly to means arranged at the intersecting points of the crossing and-forming a part thereof, that will eliminate the jolting and arring of cars passing thereover, and likewise reduce the noise and wear on the same.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a device of the above mentioned character having filler blocks pivotally mounted in gaps formed adjacent the intersecting point of each rail which are automatically actuated by the wheels of the train approaching the crossing, said blocks having means associated therewith, whereby they are normally held in a vertical position to form a continuation of the rails on which the train is traveling v A further object of the invention lies in the provision of a structure of the above mentioned character wherein the gap-filling blocks or elementsare so posltioned and supported that they may bereadily removed from the crossing for repair or replacement, I

thus increasing the practicability andefiiciency of the same. i

Other objects and advantages of the in-' vention will be apparent during the course of the following description. 7

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and in'which like numerals are employed to. designate like parts throughout the same, I

Figure 1 is a plan view of a crossing embodying my improvement;

Fig. 2 is a section through one of the intel-secting portions of the crossing showing the detail arrangement and structure of the gap-filling blocks usedin connection therewith;

Fig. 3 is a perspective view of one intersecting portion with the gap-filling blocks removed; 7 I

Fig. 4 is a detail perspective Viewofthe clamping block,and

Fig. 5 is a detail perspective view of one of the gap-closing blocks.

In the drawings, wherein for the purpose Specification of Letters Patent. Patented J ung 29, 1920,

of illustration I have shown a preferred embodiment of my invention, the letters A and B designate two tracks extending at right angles to eachother and intersecting at the crossing C. The rails 5 of the track A and the rails 6 of the track B are provided with the usual gaps 7 adjacent their intersecting points to permit the passage of the flange on the wheels of the car moving over the tracks, without the crossing rails interfering. As

is obvious in railroad crossings there are four intersecting points and since each section is of identically the same structure a description of one in this instance will sufiice.

Referring to my invention, the numeral 8 indicates a filler block or gap-closing element which is of a configuration to conform to that of the rail tread being mounted within the gap? adjacent theintersecting; This'elementismore point of the rails. clearly illustrated in Fig. 5 and as will be seen has two trunnions 9 extending from opposite sides thereof forming journals.

The ends of the rails at the gap are provided with centrally'positioned elongated openings 10 which form a bearing for one of the journals 9 of the gap-closing elements 8, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. The center of the intersecting point of the'rails is recessed as at 11, said recess terminating approximately midway the depth of the rails and.

having cut from its edgesbearings 12 which extend at right angles to each other. These bearings 12 receive the oppositely extendingjournals 9 of the filler blocks 8 sothat the blocks are pivotally mounted within the gaps and are capable of pivotal movement.

The purpose in having the openings 10 in the ends ofthe rails elongated, is to permit the ready removing of the journals from their bearings when desired. In order that I the filler blocks will be securely held in their bearings, a clamping block 13 is shaped to fitwithin the recess 11 and has two bearings 14 cut from its edges corresponding to the bearings 12 and forming a continuation thereof. This block is provided with a laterally projecting extension 15'which is seated inthe cut-out portion 16 of the rail 6 to which it is securely attached by means of a bolt 16' which passes through theapefl ture 17. The function of this clamping block is to permit the removal of the gapclosing elements, should they need repair or become inoperative.

Each intersecting portion of the rails is mounted upon a bed plate 17 which extend parallel therewith and'in this instance are supported upon the rail ties 18. Each plate is provided with a pair of depressions 19 forming pockets 19 directly beneath the gaps 7, as clearly shown in Fig. 2. These depressions are embedded in the tie 18 and serve to hold the plate 19 securely in position, as well as performing the function for. which they are. adapted. Each filler block 8 has depending'from its lower edge anapertured lug 20 to which is attached one end, of the retractile spring 21 which extends downwardly within the pocket 19 and has its opposite end attached to an upwardly projecting apertured lug 22. The purpose in providing the pocket 19-is to afford a stronger spring action for returning the filler gaps to a vertical position when moved downwardly and to overcome the vibratory movements to which the blocks are. subject.

'It'might also be well to mention that the filler blocks 8 are counterbalanced, so that ordinarily very little spring action is necessary to return them to their normal position.

In describing the operation of the invention it willbe assumed that the train is traveling on the track A which on reaching the crossing, the flanges of the wheels will move the filler blocks of the track B downwardly while the filler blocks 8 of the track A will form a continuation of the track upon 7 This will avoid the usual jarring or jolting of the car 1 which the train is traveling.

caused by the passing of the same over the usual gaps at the intersecting portions of the crossing. Immediately after the train has passed over the crossing the springs 21 will return the filler blocks to their vertical position instantly. The operation of the improvement is identically the same when the train is traveling on. the other track except the filler blocks of the track A are depressed while the; filler blocks of the track B form a continuation of the track upon which the train istraveling. This arrangement eliminates the usual noise of the train moving over the crossing and likewise reduces the wear and tear on the-cars caused by the jolting and 1. The combination of a track crossing jarringthat the trains are subject to. on the ordinary crossings.

having wheel flanged gaps at the points of intersection, filler V blocks pivotally mounted within the gaps, a clamping block form ing asection of one track, and means for normally holding the filler blocks in a veraway forming a recess, bearings formed in said recess, filler blocks. pivotally mounted midway the depth ofthe gaps, acla-mping member conforming to the shapeof the recess adapted'to'retain the filler blocks in their bearings, and .retractile springs depending from the bottom of the filler blocks adapted to normally retain them in a verti cal position and yieldably resist the pivotal movement thereof. 7

3. The combination of a track crossing having wheel flanged gaps at the points of 4. The combination of a track crossing.

having wheel flanged gaps at the points of intersection, a recess in one track midway the crossing, bearings cut from the edges 'of the recess, corresponding bearing openings in the ends of the rails, said openings being of an elongated shape, filler'blocks having journals mounted in the bearings within the gaps, a clamping block covering the recess and holding the journals firmly in the bearings, and means disposed beneath the filler:

blocks adapted to normally retain the blocks in a vertical position.

5. The combination of a having wheel flanged gaps adjacent the points of intersection, a recess inione track midway the crossing, bearings cut from the edges of said recess, bearing openings in the ends of the'rail, filler blocks withinthe gaps,

journals extending from opposite sides of blocks for reception in the bearings, a clamping block filling the recess and'forming a continuation of the track, and means depending from the bottom of the filler blocks for normally retaining the blocks in a vertical position and toyieldably resist the pivotal movement thereof.

track crossing In testimony'whereof I' have afliXed my signature in the presence of two witnesses.

. V HAROLD W; PATTISON. WVitnesses -Mrs.'P. V. HIGHFIELD, RUSSEL O. PETERSON. r 

